Not One of Blood
"Cinder."
The two other people in the room absorbed the information that they had just received. For the first time, the tone that she used to speak was full of clarity. As if she could finally confirm what she said was indeed something that she could be sure about.
"Cinder, huh?" Bell said before giving a small smile. "That's a nice name."
The girl, Cinder, nodded her head. Before he could comment further, Bell suddenly let out a yawn. He blushed, knowing that he had just yawning in front of a girl. Cinder didn't seem to be offended by the act.
"Feeling sleepy, Bell?" Hestia asked her child.
"Y-Yeah…" He replied as he rubbed his eye. "It has been…a long day…"
"I suppose we can continue this tomorrow. What do you think, Cinder?" The girl nodded her head. "Perfect! Let's have our dinner then!"
As Bell and Hestia enjoyed their jagamarukun, Cinder silently stared the food in her hand. She looked at the two of them before looking back at her potato food. After a while, she took a small bite and silently chewed it. She then swiped her finger on the surface of the jagamarukun and sniffed said finger before licking it.
"How is it, Cinder?" Hestia asked. "I know this is a street food even beggars can buy but I am sure the taste is something everyone can enjoy."
"Hmm… It's made from potato. The outside is crunchy but the inside is soft. Salt seems to be the main ingredient." Cinder said in response. "I suppose this could taste good."
"Um, Cinder, I am sure it's not that hard," Bell said rather awkwardly. "If you don't like it, then just say so. I know some people who don't like the taste of potato, so…"
"Ah, no, it's not that. I can't taste it."
Silence fell on the room after she gave out that fact about herself. Despite the fact that the stares of the people in the room were directed at her, Cinder simply continued eating her jagamarukun. The room remained silent even after she took the last bite of her food.
"That…that is…" Bell was unable to make a proper sentence. "You can't…taste?"
"I know the food is made from potato and is seasoned with salt. The texture is crunchy outside, soft inside." Cinder gave him an explanation. "But that's it. I can't taste how salty it is."
"Wow…" Hestia hesitantly took another bite of her jagamarukun, feeling uncomfortable with the atmosphere. "That is unfortunate…"
Thus, the rest of the dinner went on in silence. The situation remained the same until all of them went to sleep.
When Bell slowly opened his eyes, he could feel some parts of his body felt sore. Despite that, he forced himself to wake up. The financial condition of his Familia means that it was important that he made money as often as possible.
At the same time, however, they still haven't decided on what to do with Cinder. She belonged to no Familia and barely remembered anything about her past. She didn't even have any belonging that could help him and his goddess in tracking down her origin. Maybe they could ask the Guild for help?
"Ah, Bell. I see that you've awakened." He turned his head towards the speaker, who was none other than his goddess Hestia.
"Goddess." Bell gave her a smile before looking around the room, finding no one else. "Where's Cinder?"
"She's currently outside, saying that she wants to 'praise the sun.'" She replied as she raised her arms above her head in a "V" shape. Upon seeing his reaction, the goddess couldn't help but giggle. "I am not joking. She literally said that and also did the pose."
Bell tried to imagine Cinder doing just that. Making the somewhat silly pose while excitedly praising the sun. He had to admit that it was almost impossible to think about that, considering how her face seemed to be free of emotion and the tone of her voice is even.
"Anyway, while she's spending her time outside, why don't we update your status, Bell?"
"O-Of course, Goddess."
After the update, Hestia could feel a headache slowly forming in her head. Her child managed to gain a Skill, Liaris Freese. From is description, the Skill would make him capable of gaining stats at a much higher rate at a much faster time as well. Basically, Bell would be the center of the attention of the gods and might be taken away.
It could also cause complication regarding Cinder's issue. She did plan to ask the Guild to give out an announcement of the missing person but now wonder if it would worth the heat. She admitted that it sounded rather selfish but to be honest, being a god and being selfish is almost a synonym. Even the most selfless gods have their own moment of selfishness.
The day was still long though. She might be able to think of a better idea some later time.
"Hey, Bell, why don't you give Cinder a tour around the city?" Hestia suggested, thinking that it would give her enough time to think. "Especially to a clothing store since she only has her armor."
"Well, considering the amount of money we just received, I guess we can do that," Bell replied as he put on his shirt. "Oh, speaking of which, what should we do about her situation, Goddess?"
"Don't worry, just leave it to me."
As they walked through the street of Orario, Bell couldn't help but feel nervous due to the stare that he received from the surrounding people. He couldn't exactly blame them as he was walking alongside Cinder, back in her armor except for her helmet. She actually intended to wear it but the boy managed to convince her otherwise. After all, with her helmet on, she wouldn't be able to enjoy the scenery at its fullest.
Speaking about her, Bell wondered if he should bring her to the doctor. It was almost unnoticeable but there were times when the boy noticed that Cinder was limping when she walked. There were also, even rarer, times when he heard her almost out of breath.
Though considering that she could recover quite quickly from those conditions, Bell decided to not bringing her for a time. Doctor's service can be expensive.
"Ah, here we are," Bell stated as both white-haired stopped in front of a store.
It was quite a big clothing store. Just from the outside, Bell could see various types of clothes. From the skimpy, underwear-like clothes that the Amazons wore to the frilly, elegant dresses that were the favorites of the elves.
As they went inside and looked at the clothing, Bell took out the pouch where he kept the money for the clothes. 500 valis. Hopefully, it would be enough to buy decent clothes for Cinder.
"Oh, customers?" Bell and Cinder turned their heads towards the speaker, a blonde elf with glasses wearing a white dress. "How can I help you with?"
"Um…well…" He scratched his head, confused on what to do due to inexperience in shopping. Not that he never bought his own clothes but his grandfather told him that boys and girls have a fundamental difference when it comes to shopping.
Meanwhile, Cinder kept looking around the store. Suddenly, she stopped moving her head and walked towards a mannequin. It was wearing a simple white dress with a fabric tied around its waist. It was simple clothes, nothing special about it. Yet something about it resonated deep inside her.
"Yorshka…"
"You like that, huh?" Cinder diverted her attention to the elf. "It is a simple dress. Yet its simplicity is the charming point of the clothes."
"I can see that," Bell commented as he looked at the dress. "Though, isn't it too big for you?"
"It will be no problem. I have the size that would fit her. Just a little bit adjustment and it's done!" The elf commented as she observed the girl in armor. "It will take quite a time though. Two hours or three."
"Hmm, what do you think, Cinder?" She nodded her head. "We'll take the offer. There's no problem for me to leave for a while, right? I have some business to attend."
"Oh, no. Worry not. Just do your business while I am dealing with your sister's dress."
Before Bell could reply, the elf was already dragging Cinder away, most likely to a private room where she could get the measurements. He scratched his head while nervously laughing. Just as he thought, there would be people who mistake him and Cinder for siblings.
With that, Bell exited the store, intending of finishing the business that he referred to earlier.
After paying for the food that he ate in the Benevolent Mistress Pub last night, and also receiving lunch from one of the maids Syr, Bell returned to the store. He immediately saw Cinder and the storekeeper the moment he stepped in. The former seemed to be testing the dress, walking and jumping around while wearing it.
"Ah, welcome back, sir!" The elf greeted him. "You arrive just in time. We're currently testing whether the dress is in her liking."
"I see." Bell turned his attention towards Cinder. "What do you think, Cinder?"
"It's comfortable." She replied as she twirled. "I can move freely in it."
"We'll take it then." He said to the elf.
"Alright." She went to the counter and told them the bill. "It will be 200 for the dress and 80 for the underwear. In total, 280 valis."
"U-Underwear?" Bell became confused.
"Of course. While sarashi is indeed an exotic fashion, girls should not wear such damaged clothes if they could help it."
When she put it that way, he couldn't help but agree with it. Sighing, he handed over the money and both of them exited the store.
"Come back anytime!"
As they walked away, Bell took a closer look at Cinder's new dress. It was a sleeveless white dress reaching halfway to her ankles with purple fabric tied around her waist. He wondered if it was possible to buy maybe some kind of belt so that she could put her sword…
"Wait!" Bell exclaimed, causing Cinder to stop walking. "Where are your armor and sword?!"
"It's here." She replied as she showed him her hands.
"Where?" He looked around.
"Here."
He didn't know how but there were now armor and sword in Cinder's hands. He swore that they were not there a moment ago. Though maybe he simply didn't pay any attention. But to be incapable of such a degree…
"Bell?" She asked, taking him away from his mind. "Is there something wrong?"
"Huh?" He blinked and looked back at her. "Ah, no. Nothing's wrong."
Maybe it was a power that she possessed. He was not exactly an expert in this kind of stuff, so there was no way for him to confirm it. Perhaps he could ask his goddess when they returned.
"I just remember." He said, trying to change the topic. "I managed to get lunch for both of us. Why don't we have one before continuing our tour?"
"I do not see why not."
The two albinos were currently sitting on a bench in a park, enjoying their lunch. Well, technically it was only Bell since he was the only one who could taste the food. But it was the thought that count.
As he chewed on his food, a part of Bell's mind wondered if what he was doing with Cinder could be considered as a date. Sitting together closely, enjoying the same meal, in the park. The birds were chirping and the sun shining brightly. The situation was similar to how his grandfather described a date.
"Hey, bro! At least just a bite! Why can't you be like that boy? He's willing to share half of his meal with his sister?"
"Bah, he and I are different people. Most likely unable to stand against his own sibling."
On the other hand, there were those comments.
When he took the last bite of his food, Bell felt thirsty and was about to grab a drink when he realized that there was none of it. He looked around for a while and managed to find a kiosk selling lemonade. He turned his eyes to Cinder and – upon seeing her no longer eating – brought her with him to the kiosk.
"So, any suggestion on where to next?" He asked as he paid for the lemonade.
"Hmm…" She thought about it for a while as she accepted the lemonade. "What about where you found me?"
No matter how many times he saw it, Bell couldn't help but feel amazed each time he saw the Babel. Evidence of the power of the gods, being able to construct building beyond the abilities of mortals. The lid that prevented the monsters from escaping the Dungeon.
As he walked to the tower, he wondered if he would have time to visit the Guild. There was something that he wanted to ask Eina about. Also, he remembered being told that one of the available facilities provided by the Guild was a library. There could be some helpful information regarding the monsters.
"So, what do you…" He was about to ask his companion when he realized something.
Cinder was nowhere nearby.
"Cinder? Cinder?!" Bell started to look around. When his eyes were set on the Babel, a bad feeling started to form in his heart.
"Don't tell me…"
The boy began to run towards the tower. When he reached the underground floor, he saw Cinder leaning on the rail as she looked downwards. Once he was close, Bell could see how focused she was on looking towards the Dungeon.
"Cinder?" When she didn't reply, he put his hand on her shoulder. "Cinder?"
The girl slowly turned her head to look at Bell. After a while, she turned it again to look back at the Dungeon, causing him to be worried.
"Is there something wrong?"
"The Dungeon…" She slowly said. "It…I…I believe the answer…of my origin…lies deep there."
"A-Are you sure? I mean, while I did find you there, that doesn't mean…"
"I need to investigate it." Cinder stopped leaning and start walking towards the stairs.
"Wait!" Bell grabbed her hand. "You can't enter the Dungeon. It's too dangerous for people without a blessing from the gods!"
"I know my way with a sword." She tried to pull back her hand.
"That's not enough!" He didn't relent. "The monsters are simply too strong. Besides, you're not in good physical condition to fight. I saw you limping."
Silence fell on both of them. The adventurers who observed them due to the disturbance that they make began to disperse. Slowly, Bell let go of Cinder's hand. She looked at him intensely before opening her mouth.
"Then give me the blessing of the gods."
"Eh?"
As she waited for Bell and Cinder to return from their little tour, Hestia was still thinking about how to deal with the girl. Despite spending almost an entire day, the plans that she could think of were full of holes.
To put it simply, she still didn't have a solution in hand.
The goddess stopped her thought when she heard the door was being opened. She looked at it and saw Bell and Cinder entered the room. For some reason, the former looked to be quite nervous.
"Ah, Bell, Cinder, how is the tour?" Hestia asked.
"Everything is…well," Bell replied as he scratched his head and looked away. "Um, Goddess, you see, the thing is…"
"I want to join your Familia." Cinder interrupted him.
"E-Eh?" The goddess didn't expect that. "S-So sudden?"
"You see, Goddess…" The boy gave her an explanation. "…Cinder believes that a clue of her origin lies in the Dungeon. She believes that she could find an answer if she descends into it."
"And to do that, she needs to join a Familia." Hestia finished it herself as she gave a thought about it.
This was basically a one-time opportunity. If she accepted Cinder into her Familia, that meant the size of it will increase and one more person that could help their financial situation. At the same time, said situation also meant that she would have to work hard as often as possible and she didn't want to force a still-injured girl to work.
"I appreciate it." Hestia declared. "Though are you sure about that? Adventuring in the Dungeon won't be an easy job."
"This is the choice that I have decided. I will do it, whether it is alone or not." Cinder replied, leaving no room for convincing otherwise.
The goddess nodded her head. She picked a needle and checked for its sharpness. Seeing that it was enough, she gestured towards the bed.
"Alright. Lie on the bed and show me your back." She said as she went to bed. "Bell, leave us alone for a while, please."
"Of course." The boy replied as he exited the room.
Cinder lowered down her dress and showed the goddess her back as she lay on the bed. The latter pricked her finger and hovered it on the back, allowing her blood to fall on the back of her would-be child.
A drop of blood fell and landed on the back of Cinder.
In her office, Hephaestus was currently looking at the ledger containing information of her Familia's financial accounts. Seeing that there was nothing wrong, she closed it and took out a smaller ledger. This one containing the amount of debt that Hestia had towards her.
Suddenly, an explosion occurred, causing her to drop the book. From the sound, she knew that it came from one of the furnace rooms that her children used. She immediately stood up and went towards the source.
"Is everyone alright?" She asked as she opened the door. "What happened?"
When she looked at the condition of the room, Hephaestus saw some of her children were on the floor, suffering from burn wounds. Others approached them a give a hand. The goddess diverted her attention to a certain half-dwarf; the captain of her Familia, Tsubaki Collbrande.
"We don't know how it happens." She explained. "We're just about to increase the heat of the furnace when the heat raised dramatically. Big enough that it literally exploded."
"Could one of the new guys make a mistake?" The goddess asked.
"Impossible. The furnace used coal and there isn't enough to make a big flame, let alone explosion."
Hephaestus put her hand on her chin. There were a few things that could cause it. It could be because some mage in Orario decided to experiment on a new spell related to heat and it went out of control.
In the next several days, the Goddess of Smithing would discover that she wasn't the only god who had her furnace had an incident.
Hestia turned her eyes away from the back of her newest child when she heard something. Because of this, she didn't realize that a few moments after the blood touched the skin, some patches of Cinder's skin went on fire due to embers out of nowhere. They disappeared just as sudden as their appearance, causing the goddess to see nothing when she looked back.
She picked a paper and a pencil and began to wrote the information on Cinder's back. She stopped for a while, making sure that she didn't misread it, before continuing. After it was done, she hopped off from the bed, allowing the lying girl to sat up and fixed her dress.
"Bell, you can come in now!" Hestia said.
When he entered the room, Bell showed a worried face. Probably due to the sound that occurred earlier. It sounded like something had just exploded.
"Goddess, do you know what was that?" He asked.
"Not really. But don't worry. I am sure the Ganesha Familia can handle it." She replied as she showed them the paper. "So, this is Cinder's stats. Quite interesting, if you ask me."
She gave the paper to Cinder for her to read. When Bell came closer to her to read it as well, she showed him what was written on it.
Cinder
Level 1
Strength: I0
Defense: I0
Dexterity: I0
Agility: I0
Magic: I0
Magic:
Arts of Pyromancy: A primitive magic mocked for its simplicity. Despite its name, pyromancy controls more than flame.
Arts of Miracle: The power of the gods. Granted to oneself by tales that bring about revelation.
Arts of Sorcery: An ancient magic originated with an ancient dragon that derived from one's soul.
Bag of Holding: "Limit" is not a word that exists for you when it comes to baggage.
Skills:
Incarnation of Kings: Everything that you possess belongs to you and not.
Lord of Cinder: Once, the sun was within your reach. Now, you are Lord of Only Cinder.
Backstab: Few things are deadlier than a stab in the back.
David: It seems fate has an interesting plan regarding your struggle.
"A-Awesome!" Bell commented. "Four magics and skills respectively the moment of gaining falna?! That's…that's…"
"Pyromancy?" Cinder said as she showed her left palm. A flame suddenly appeared on it. "Sounds…right."
As both of her children looked at Cinder's stats, Hestia couldn't help but let out a sigh and rubbed her head, already feeling the incoming headache. She now had not only one child with a skill that other gods would find interesting but two.
Speaking of which, she was rather confused with Cinder's Magics and Skills. In the former, one of them, the Arts of Pyromancy, was stated to be "mocked for its simplicity." While she knew that some magic was not exactly impressive, like simply throwing a fireball, nobody ever mocked magic for being simple. Heck, being "simple" meant that there was no need for a very long chant that more powerful magic possesses.
Then there were Arts of Miracle, Arts of Sorcery, and Bag of Holding. She didn't have an opinion about them, other than not understanding exactly their descriptions, but she was kind of worried with Sorcery since it seemed to be related to the caster's soul.
And don't even get her started on the Skills. They were vague as hell, not giving even a single clue on what they did. Backstab could either refer to betrayal or literal stab in the back, like maybe giving her a boost if she stabs her opponent in the back. David might refer to the hero David. Which could mean that Cinder could win fighting against someone more powerful than her.
At least she could think of possibilities with those two abilities. Hestia had no idea at all about Incarnation of Kings and Lord of Cinder.
"I wonder… Is this a curse or a blessing?"
In her post, Eina Tulle was currently filling a report. As she did so, she wondered about the condition of the latest adventurer that was in her care, one Bell Cranel. Yesterday, he did not come to the Guild, something that took her attention but wasn't quite strange. He had just been attacked by a minotaur. He could be simply recovering from the shock.
"Miss Eina!"
The half-elf staff raised her head, finding herself seeing the white-haired boy. He looked more cheerful compared to usual, almost like how he looked when he told her that the Sword Princess saved him.
"Ah, Bell! It's good to see you again!" Eina offered him a smile. "Everything's alright, I guess?"
"Yep!" He nodded his head before remembering something. "That's right! Miss Eina, I want to register a new member of my Familia."
"Oh?" Eina blinked in response. "I see. Can I meet with the new member?"
"Of course!" Bell raised his hand and looked back. "Cinder, over here!"
When Eina spotted a girl wearing a charred armor approaching them, she couldn't hide her surprise upon seeing her face. She looked almost exactly like Bell but more feminine. The half-elf wondered if the girl is his sister or at least a close relative.
"Miss Eina, this is the new member of my Familia, Cinder." Bell introduced the girl in armor, who nodded her head.
"I see." She fixed her glasses. "Do you mind following me? I can give an orientation while you fill out the registration form."
Eina took them into a private booth where Cinder could fill the form without disturbance. As she did so, the staff explained to her the events surrounding the Dungeon, like its history, how it was related to the creation of Orario, things that could be expected when entering it, etc. Bell also shared with her his own experience of exploring the underground monster maze.
"Here you go." Cinder handed over the form after finishing it.
"Thank you." Eina accepted the form. Her eyes became slightly wider when she read it. "Huh, cursive writing?"
She inspected the form carefully and smiled, knowing that no mistake was made. Curiously, she looked at the name part and saw that the name "Cinder Cranel" was written on it.
"So, I take it you and Bell are siblings?" She asked.
"We are." It was answered by Cinder.
"I must admit, it surprises me that both of you don't register together."
"Well, when we were younger, Cinder and I were…" Bell made several gestures and seemed to look uncomfortable.
"O-Oh." The half-elf felt rather uncomfortable with the revelation. "I am sorry."
Bell hated that he had to hide the truth. First, he and Cinder were indeed siblings but not one by blood. It was because they were from the same Familia (according to Hestia) and would-be siblings-in-arms (according to Cinder). Second, he didn't exactly answer Eina's question, merely making her make some…rather uncomfortable conclusion.
Though he still did it because it was an order – no, basically a plea from his goddess. She told him that Cinder's situation might interest other gods and they would take her away from them. He would not let anyone steal his family.
"W-Well, everything seems to be in order." Eina fixed her glasses and nodded her head. "Good luck and remember, adventurer should not go on an adventure."
"Of course, Miss Eina." Bell began to walk away. "Let's go, Cinder."
"I'll follow your lead."
With that, the two white-haired siblings began their descent into the Dungeon.
Answers to some reviews:
Havel the Hebel: She wears a chain mail under her plate armor. From what I see of the Firelink Set, there's a part that looks like chain mail.
Warlus999: For linking the fire, not really. Gwyn can link the fire despite not being an Undead or an Unkindled, suggesting that other types of living being can link it.
For why Bell found it and not others, it's a spoiler.
For the condition of Soul of Cinder, imagine how weak you are after a long sleep and yet for some reason takes a very long time for you to recover your energy. She's not in her optimal condition.
Also, Praise the Sun! \[T]/
Nerf585: None so far.
Limbo: I actually use it. It's just that I am unable to pay for a better setting.
If you have a question or suggestion, feel free to tell me.
Review, please!
